Is wearing a mask a law or mandate?

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Is wearing a mask a law or mandate?

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In my state (TN), an executive order (mandate) is enforced like a law. Our governor has the power to issue executive orders that are enforceable by law. He signed an executive order on July 3 to allow local mayors to issue their own mandates (we do not have a statewide mask mandate). Since then, several mayors across the state have issued mandates (largely in the bigger metro areas), my county mayor being one of them. Other counties have simply "strongly encouraged wearing masks." The TN Supreme Court is requiring masks in all court houses across the state and has cancelled the Fall 2020 BAR exam.

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a law or mandate?

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Executive orders are not formal legislation passed by the legislative branch, but they have the force of law, whether it's the state executive branch (the governor) or the federal executive branch (the president). That's why "mandatory" and "mandate" have the same root. It is compulsory.

Notably, though it varies by state, some of the EOs were sloppily drafted (though it may be intentional, who knows) and they specifically lack an enforcement mechanism.